Aphonia.

Aphonia. This term is applied to loss of voice from whatever cause arising. Normally, the production of the voice is due to (1) the tension of the vocal chords, and (2) respiratory effort. Loss of voice may therefore depend upon (1) laryngeal disease or (2) deficient respiratory power. The morbid conditions of the larynx may be either functional—as in hysterical aphonia—or organic, when the lesion is either situated in the larynx, or due to an affection of the laryngeal nerves or nerve centres. See LARYNX. The vocal chords themselves may be more or less destroyed, and yet a certain amount of vocal power remain, because it sometimes happens that the false chords come together, and when they are caused to vibrate by the passage of air, produce a harsh, but distinct voice. Loss of voice may also—as could be inferred from what has just been stated—arise from diseases of the respiratory organs or general weakness. The treatment must of course depend upon the morbid condition which causes loss of voice, and can only be determined in each case after careful examination with the laryngoscope.